With tears of joy streaming down her face, Samajahe King accepted the youth of the year award from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach on Thursday evening, Feb. 19.
At first, she couldn’t believe she had won when her name was announced by Phillip Redd, director of programs for the Boys & Girls Clubs, at the Great Futures Gala dinner at the Hotel Maya.
Samajahe King speaks during the Boys & Girls Clubs’ annual youth dinner at the Hotel Maya on Thursday, February 19, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Samajahe King, center, speaks after receiving the Youth of Year award during the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach dinner at the Hotel Maya on Thursday, February 19, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From left, Crystal Fox-Booker, Samajahe King, Alisa George and Amber Leake pose for a photograph during the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach annual dinner at the Hotel Maya on Thursday, February 19, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Master of ceremonies Michaela Pereira, right, on stage with the three finalists for the Youth of Year award during the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach dinner at the Hotel Maya on Thursday, February 19, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Samajahe King, right, receives the Youth of Year award during the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach annual dinner at the Hotel Maya on Thursday, February 19, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From right, board member Michaela Pereira and Samajahe King embrace during the Boys & Girls Clubs’ annual youth dinner at the Hotel Maya on Thursday, February 19, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Samajahe King speaks during the Boys & Girls Clubs’ annual youth dinner at the Hotel Maya on Thursday, February 19, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Board member Michaela Pereira welcomes the audience to the Boys & Girls Clubs’ annual youth dinner at the Hotel Maya on Thursday, February 19, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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Samajahe King speaks during the Boys & Girls Clubs’ annual youth dinner at the Hotel Maya on Thursday, February 19, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
“The other finalists were so good,” King said during her speech of Dahnya Potts and J’Miya Lomelil. “I can’t believe this. Thank you, thank you!”
King, a sophomore at Cabrillo High School, received loud applause from the more than 250 guests at the event, including her mother, Crystal Fox-Booker; her aunt, Alisa George; and her B&G coach and mentor, Amber Leake.
“I’m so excited for her,” her mother said after the announcement. “I am very blessed to have her as a daughter. She does everything from the heart.”
Leake also praised the sophomore.
“She continues to amaze me with her dedication and ability to balance independence with collaboration,” Leake said. “Samajahe is, without question, one of the most exceptionalstudents I have mentored. Her independence, resilience and compassion set her apart as a true role model.”
Don Rodriguez, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs, said all three of the finalists were great — but one had to be selected as the winner by the 10 judges.
“Tonight, we celebrate three outstanding teen finalists whose leadership, perseverance and commitment to their future reflect the very best of our clubs,” he said.”Since 1947, Youth ofthe Year has been our premier leadership recognition, honoring club members who demonstrate academic achievement, service, character and healthy decision-making.”
Michaela Pereira, the master of ceremonies for the event and a youth of the year mentor, said that as the winner, King will receive a $5,000 scholarship and go on to compete in the B&G’s regional competition next month. From there, participants can advance to state and national contests.
The runners-up – Potts and Lomeli, both Poly High students – will each receive $2,500 scholarships.
In her written biography and interview with the judges, King said that growing up was never simple for her. Joining the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach was a turning point in her life, she said.
“The club didn’t just give me activities,” King said in the biography. “It gave me guidance, structure and a community that believed in me.”
She also praised Leake for her mentoring.
“Coach Leake saw potential in me when I didn’t see it in myself,” King said. “She pushed me to step out of my shell, to perform with confidence and to embrace my voice. I went from being shy and uncertain to winning first place in dance competitions.”
In addition to her dancing, King is also a track star.
“Both pursuits remind me that life is not only about reaching the finish line,” she said, “but it is also about embracing the process, finding happiness in the effort and celebrating growth along the way.”
George Walton, assistant principal at Cabrillo High, said King leads by example, whether encouraging teammates on the track, collaborating with peers during dance rehearsals or helping amplify student voices through the Black Student Union. King has the ability to inspire, Walton said, reflecting a maturity well beyond her years.
King said she wants to attend Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and study psychology, and use that psychology to help others — especially young people who face challenges in their lives.
Selecting a winner from the three outstanding finalists was an especially difficult task for the judges. I can personally attest to that because I was one of them.
The other judges were Stuart Ledsam, Kam Baboff, Olga Chavez, Emani Jammott (2023 youth of the year recipient), Tamara Achauer, Dr. Cara Askew (Cal State Long Beach), Dr. Nohel Corral (Long Beach City College), Debbie Uba and Dr. Grant Uba.
In addition to the youth of the year award, there were two other major awards given out on Thursday:
The John C. Wallace Dream Maker award was given to Sandi Kayse, a longtime supporter of the B&G Clubs and community leader. Kayse, a B&G board member since 2010, retired from her senior managing role at Toyota Motor Sales and is now on the board of Gekko Engineering.
The Rich Archbold Champion for Youth award went to Phillip Redd, who has served in many leadership roles in B&G clubs, including overseeing athletics and transportation for multiplesites and supporting thousands of youths. He has spent the past four years growing teen programming, building a strong alumni network and developing critical training that equips staff to better support young people. He started his journey with B&G clubs when he was 8.